Rory Paul McKeown is a Northern Irish

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...

 footballer who currently plays for Scottish Premier League

Scottish Premier League

The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...

 club Kilmarnock

Kilmarnock F.C.

Kilmarnock Football Club is a Scottish football team based in the town of Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. Founded in 1869, "Killie" is the oldest club currently in the Scottish Premier League. Home matches are played at Rugby Park...

 and is a Northern Ireland under-19 international.

McKeown started his career as a youth team player for Ipswich Town

Ipswich Town F.C.

Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02....

. He signed at the same time as fellow countryman Josh Carson

Josh Carson

Josh Carson is a Northern Irish international footballer who plays as a midfielder for Ipswich Town.-Ipswich Town:...

. McKeown went on to develop in the Ipswich under-18s and reserve team

Reserve team

Large professional sports clubs often have far more players under contract than could possibly play in a match. As a result, many of these clubs create second teams composed of players who need playing time, but have little hope of playing on the first team. The players on this second team are...

s before he was released in June 2011.

Following his release by Ipswich, McKeown signed for Kilmarnock

Kilmarnock F.C.

Kilmarnock Football Club is a Scottish football team based in the town of Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. Founded in 1869, "Killie" is the oldest club currently in the Scottish Premier League. Home matches are played at Rugby Park...

 after a short trial. Killie manager Kenny Shiels

Kenny Shiels

Kenny Shiels is a Northern Irish former football player and current manager. He is manager of Scottish Premier League club Kilmarnock.-Player:...

 commented that "Rory is a great young player, he fits in with the way we play". McKeown made an immediate impact at Killie, scoring on his competitive debut, against Dundee United

Dundee United F.C.

Dundee United Football Club is a Scottish professional football club located in the city of Dundee. Formed in 1909, originally as Dundee Hibernian, the club changed to the present name in 1923...

 at Tannadice Park

Tannadice Park

Tannadice Park, usually referred to as Tannadice, is a football stadium located on Tannadice Street in the Scottish city of Dundee. The stadium is home of Dundee United F.C. and has a capacity of 14,209.-Early days :...

.